Customer Reviews

Alicia de Larrocha 2 - Great Pianists of the Century

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These two discs demonstrate the unique characteristics of DeLarrocha's pianism which made her the beloved musician she became: her flawless sense of rhythm, perfectly judged rubato, beautiful tone, brilliant technique, and her non-excessive tempos. Although Martha Argerich's technique is superior to DeLarrocha, there's just something about de Larrocha's playing that I've always found very endearing.

Other pianists may be able to play the notes as well as she, but who else invests this music with the unmistakable style which is so instantly recognizable as being De Larrocha after hearing her play only a few bars?

The Haydn Variations in F Minor, Bach Italian Concerto and French Suite, and Mozart Sonata K. 331 are model interpretations of these pieces. I doubt they could be played better than they are here.

Only the first movement of the Mozart K. 310 is a slight disappointment--she sounds too cautious; however, the second movment and finale are beautifully played (much better than on her later RCA recording).

As far as I am concerned, these are desert island recordings and among the best of the "Great Pianists" series. In fact, I feel that a third volume devoted to some of her earliest recordings was more than warranted. (I'm thinking of both the Spanish and non-spanish repetory that she recorded for London/Decca and EMI in the late 60's and early 70's; not to mention the dazzling recordings of works such as the Lizst Hungarian Rhapsody No 2, La Campanella, Chopin Polonaise in A-flt, the Schubert-Tausig March Militare, etc.). These recordings were made when was at the peak of her playing: they are equal to best of any recordings by Argerich or Kissin.

This pianist is very easy to like; everything she does is done musically, so she brings out the character of the piece rather than grandstanding. I enjoy this two-CD set a great deal. I got it for the "Andante con variazioni in F minor" by Haydn, but like the Bach, Scarlatti and Handel as well on CD1, and the four Mozart sonatas on CD2.

This is also a very well-produced set: the pieces were recorded on six different occasions but give the feel of a custom-made album. As in all the sets of this series (Great Pianists of the Twentieth Century) the package is just right. It has plenty of text, easy CD access, and the 2-CD package fits into a single jewel-case slot!

This recording is without a doubt the best version of Bach's Italian Concerto I've ever heard. While remaining true tot he Baroque style, Ms. De Larrocha's performance is expressive and so very musical. The entire CD is exquisite.

I bought this CD because I already have one CD where she plays 2 of Mozart's late piano concertos. Mozart is my favorite composer and Alicia De Larrocha plays his piano music better than anyone I've ever heard.

The first CD consists of great works other than that of Mozart. In her recording of Bach's Italian Concerto, she slows down the last few notes too much in order to add drama. It sounds better when played as the composer intended. In spite of this minor criticism, she plays Bach wonderfully too. The works on CD1 by Scarlatti, Handel, and Haydn are good also, but not as good as the Bach. This is just a musical opinion though.

CD2 is the reason I bought this; to hear the great De Larrocha play Mozart piano sonatas. She is the best I've ever heard for Mozart piano. She doesn't stab at the notes in order to accentuate them, as some do, and she doesn't blur them all together. She plays it perfectly in the middle, the way it was meant to be played. I only wish I could find more of Alicia's recordings of Mozart Piano Sonatas and Concertos. She is the abolute master of his works.

This 2 CD set was worth every penny of the $23 or whatever it cost. Once you her De Larrocha play Mozart, you will start to hear flaws in other virtuosos' playing. She puts Daniel Barenboim to shame. Barenboim always sounds rushed to me; as if he is trying to show how good he is by playing faster.

My my my... so often we forget that Alicia is not just the amazing pianist who seems to be the only one who can pull off pieces from the spanish repertoire. It was indeed her recording of the Mozart "sonata facile" (on RCA Victor) that opened my eyes to classical music. Her mozart is truly magical. In my eyes, this is the real set to get from the great pianists collection. There are much better recordings of her playing the Albeniz, but nowhere but here will you ever find such a wonderful played compilation of 18th century masterworks. Buy in bulk and give them out instead of wafers in communion.